The Range: The Tucson Weekly's Daily Dispatch

Is Facebook Getting Ready to Kinda Change its Mind on Real Name Policy?

In last week's Tucson Weekly, we talked to our fave Tucson drag queen Tempest DuJour about the possible consequences of how Facebook was enforcing it's real name policy, a move that seemed to be targeting drag queens across the country. We also brought up how other communities could be affected by the policy, such as the LGBT community and in particular those who are transgender.

But a recent post on ValleyWag, which gave a good history of the story, says the social media organization is finally ready to apologize and figure out a way to backtrack from its first approach. We're asking Facebook for comment and when we hear back from them, we will let you know.

Facebook sparked a fierce backlash three weeks ago when it began enforcing a "real name" policy against performers and members of the LGBT community. The company initially dug in its heels, refusing to stop requiring people to use their legal names, inciting hundreds of thousands of people to flee to the quasi-anti-corporate network Ello. Now Facebook is feeling the heat and is slated to apologize for the situation later today, sources tell Valleywag.

We're told the apology will be first issued at a meeting with a coalition of drag queens, LGBT activists, and San Francisco Supervisor David Campos, all of whom have been pressing Facebook end the discriminatory policy. Before making a public announcement, the company will also outline to activists how it plans to fix its policies.

When reached for comment, a Facebook representative declined to comment on the terms of the policy reversal. However, the representative confirmed the meeting is taking place.